Immunohistochemistry and Multiple Labeling with Antibodies from the Same Host Species to Study Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Adult neurogenesis is a highly regulated, multi-stage process in which new neurons are generated from an activated neural stem cell via increasingly committed intermediate progenitor subtypes. Each of these subtypes expresses a set of specific molecular markers that, together with specific morphological criteria, can be used for their identification. Typically, immunofluorescent techniques are applied involving subtype-specific antibodies in combination with exo- or endogenous proliferation markers. We herein describe immunolabeling methods for the detection and quantification of all stages of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. These comprise the application of thymidine analogs, transcardial perfusion, tissue processing, heat-induced epitope retrieval, ABC immunohistochemistry, multiple indirect immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and cell quantification. Furthermore we present a sequential multiple immunofluorescence protocol which circumvents problems usually arising from the need of using primary antibodies raised in the same host species. It allows an accurate identification of all hippocampal progenitor subtypes together with a proliferation marker within a single section. These techniques are a powerful tool to study the regulation of different progenitor subtypes in parallel, their involvement in brain pathologies and their role in specific brain functions.     

Elution of High-affinity (>10-9 KD) Antibodies from Tissue Sections: Clues to the Molecular Mechanism and Use in Sequential Immunostaining

Inconsistent results obtained with published methods for the elution of antibodies from tissue sections prompted the assessment of both old and new methods in combination with monoclonal rabbit antibodies of known, increased affinity (above 1×10^-9 K_D). We tested an acidic (pH 2) glycine buffer, a 6 M urea hot buffer and a 2-Mercaptoethanol, SDS buffer (2-ME/SDS). Some antibodies were not removed by the glycine pH 2 or 6 M urea hot buffers, indicating that antibodies survive much harsher conditions than previously believed. We found that the elution is dependent upon the antibody affinity and is reduced by species-specific crosslinking via a dimeric or Fab fragments of a secondary antibody. The high affinity bond of exogenous streptavidin with the endogenous biotin can be removed by 6 M urea but not by the other buffers. 2-ME/SDS buffer is superior to glycine pH 2 and 6 M urea hot elution buffers for all antibodies because of its irreversible effect on the structure of the antibodies. It also has a mild retrieving effect on some antigens present on routinely treated sections and no detrimental effect on the immunoreactivity of the tissue. Therefore, 2-ME/SDS buffer is the method of choice to perform multiple rounds of immunostaining on a single routine section.     

A Micro-analytical Method for the Determination of Starch and Amylose/Amylopectin Content in Pea Seeds

New modifications of the method for pea starch and amylose/amylopectin analysis were tested with small samples size of smooth and wrinkled peas. The milling process of the sample and preliminary extraction with 40 % ethanol were very important and affected markedly the standard deviation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multiphoton microscopy for the in-situ investigation of cellular processes and integrity in cryopreservation

In this study we demonstrate a new noninvasive imaging method to monitor freezing processes in biological samples and to investigate life in the frozen state. It combines a laser scanning microscope with a computer-controlled cryostage. Nearinfrared (NIR) femtosecond laser pulses evoke the fluorescence of endogenous fluorophores and fluorescent labels due to multiphoton absorption.The inherent optical nonlinearity of multiphoton absorption allows 3D fluorescence imaging for optical tomography of frozen biological material in-situ. As an example for functional imaging we use fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to create images with chemical and physical contrast.     

改良抗体捕获ELISA方法检测流行性出血热特异性IgE,IgA,IgG抗体的初步研究

初步报道建立了一种检测流行性出血热(EHF)特异性IgE、IgA、IgG抗体的改良抗体捕获ELISA方法(EacELISA,AacELISA,GacELISA)。该法以抗人IgE、IgA或IgG单克隆抗体作包被抗体;酶标记物系两株组特异性较强的EHF·McAb(A_(35),A_(25-1)株);在实验中采用EHF病毒抗原与酶标记物混合后一次加入,而不是分别依次加入的方式,使操作步骤简化,实验时间缩短,又适当提高了试验敏感性。该法具有简便,特异性高,灵敏度较高(检测EHF·IgE,EHF·IgA>1:100;EHF·IgG>1:2560),重复性较好(CV:EHF·IgE 2.51％,EHF·IgA 11.80％,EHF·IgG 10.85％)等优点。检测39份EHF病人血清,急性期病人(3～7病日)血清三种抗体的检出率分别为84.21％(16/19,EHF·IgG),89.47％(17/19,EHF·IgA)和100％(19/19,EHF·IgG);而发病3～6月后患者血清三种抗体检出率分别为10.00％(2/20),45.00％(9/20)和100.00％。在急性期与恢复期病人之间,EHF·IgE和EHF·IgA两种抗体的检出率差异较显著(P<0.01)。70价其他人群血清三种抗体检出率均为阴性。     

Glutamate‐induced changes in the pattern of hippocampal dendrite outgrowth: A role for calcium‐dependent pathways and the microtubule cytoskeleton

Glutamate regulation of a variety of aspects of dendrite development may be involved in neuronal plasticity and neuropathology. In this study, we examine the calcium‐dependent pathways and alterations in the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton that may mediate glutamate‐induced changes in the pattern of dendrite outgrowth. We used Fura‐2 AM and inhibitors of the calcium‐dependent proteins, calmodulin and calpain, to identify the role of specific calcium‐dependent pathways in glutamate‐regulated dendrite outgrowth. Additionally, we used a quantitative fluorescence technique to correlate changes in MT levels with glutamate‐induced changes in dendrite outgrowth. We show that the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺ ]_i) changes in a biphasic manner over a 12‐h period in the presence of glutamate. A transient increase in [Ca²⁺ ]_i over the first hour of glutamate exposure correlated with a calmodulin‐associated increase in the rate of dendrite outgrowth, whereas a sustained increase in [Ca²⁺ ]_i was correlated with calpain‐associated dendrite retraction. Quantitative fluorescence measurements showed no net change in the level of MTs during calmodulin‐associated increases in dendrite outgrowth, but showed a significant decline in the level of MTs during calpain‐associated dendrite retraction. These findings provide insights into the intracellular mechanisms involved in activity‐dependent regulation of dendrite morphology during development and after pathology. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 43: 159–172, 2000     

The N-terminal region of acyl-CoA synthetase 3 is essential for both the localization on lipid droplets and the function in fatty acid uptake

Cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) are storage organelles for neutral lipids derived from endogenous metabolism. Acyl-CoA synthetase family proteins are essential enzymes in this biosynthetic pathway, contributing activated fatty acids. Fluorescence microscopy showed that ACSL3 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and LDs, with the distribution dependent on the cell type and the supply of fatty acids. The N-terminus of ACSL3 was necessary and sufficient for targeting reporter proteins correctly, as demonstrated by subcellular fractionation and confocal microscopy. The N-terminal region of ACSL3 was also found to be functionally required for the enzyme activity. Selective permeabilization and in silico analysis suggest that ACSL3 assumes a hairpin membrane topology, with the N-terminal hydrophobic amino acids forming an amphipathic helix restricted to the cytosolic leaflet of the ER membrane. ACSL3 was effectively translocated from the ER to nascent LDs when neutral lipid synthesis was stimulated by the external addition of fatty acids. Cellular fatty acid uptake was increased by overexpression and reduced by RNA interference of ACSL3. In conclusion, the structural organization of ACSL3 allows the fast and efficient movement from the ER to emerging LDs. ACSL3 not only esterifies fatty acids with CoA but is also involved in the cellular uptake of fatty acids, presumably indirectly by metabolic trapping. The unique localization of the acyl-CoA synthetase ACSL3 on LDs suggests a function in the local synthesis of lipids.     

活细胞内MGTR1-3＇UTR的荧光标记及应激定位分析

利用噬菌体衣壳蛋白MS2和带有序列特异性茎环结构（含有MS2蛋白结合位点）的RNA之间的高度亲和力,对外源性入血管紧张素l型受体（angiotensin II receptor type1,AGTRl）mRNA3’端非翻译区（3＇untranslated region,3’UTR）片段进行红色荧光标记,进而在活细胞（HeLa）内研究该mRNA片段的应激生物学行为。通过在pSG5空载体质粒上先后插入两个双链DNA目的片段AGTR1-3qATR和24×MS2,构建重组质粒pSG5／AGTR1—3‘UTR／24×MS2,并将该质粒与重组质粒pERFP／MS2和pEGFP／C1-G3BP共转染入Hela细胞。荧光显微成像结果显示,AGTR1-3UTR-24×MS2 mNA片段能够携带具有入核信号的MS2-RFP融合蛋白离开胞核进入胞浆,而且在亚砷酸盐刺激下,红色荧光标记的AGTR1-3＇UTR-24×MS2 mRNA;4段可在胞浆中形成与应激蛋白G3BP—GFP共定位的颗粒。该结果表明,针对AGTR1-3‘UTR片段的MS2-RFP荧光标记系统构建成功,该荧光标记系统能有效避免假阳性的荧光信号。在细胞受到氧化应激时,AGTR1-3’UTR会被招募至胞浆中的应激颗粒结构中,启示了AGTR1-3＇UTR区域对于调控AGTR1 mRNA在细胞内的应激定位具有重要作用。     

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy as a sensitive and useful tool for revealing potential overlaps between the epitopes of monoclonal antibodies on viral particles

Although the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is well established for quantitating epitopes on inactivated virions used as vaccines, it is less suited for detecting potential overlaps between the epitopes recognized by different antibodies raised against the virions. We used fluorescent correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to detect the potential overlaps between 3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 4B7-1H8-2E10, 1E3-3G4, 4H8-3A12-2D3) selected for their ability to specifically recognize poliovirus type 3. Competition of the Alexa488-labeled mAbs with non-labeled mAbs revealed that mAbs 4B7-1H8-2E10 and 4H8-3A12-2D3 compete strongly for their binding sites on the virions, suggesting an important overlap of their epitopes. This was confirmed by the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo EM) structure of the poliovirus type 3 complexed with the corresponding antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) of the mAbs, which revealed that Fabs 4B7-1H8-2E10 and 4H8-3A12-2D3 epitopes share common amino acids. In contrast, a less efficient competition between mAb 1E3-3G4 and mAb 4H8-3A12-2D3 was observed by FCS, and there was no competition between mAbs 1E3-3G4 and 4B7-1H8-2E10. The Fab 1E3-3G4 epitope was found by cryoEM to be close to but distinct from the epitopes of both Fabs 4H8-3A12-2D3 and 4B7-1H8-2E10. Therefore, the FCS data additionally suggest that mAbs 4H8-3A12-2D3 and 4B7-1H8-2E10 bind in a different orientation to their epitopes, so that only the former sterically clashes with the mAb 1E3-3G4 bound to its epitope. Our results demonstrate that FCS can be a highly sensitive and useful tool for assessing the potential overlap of mAbs on viral particles.     

Antibodies as probes for the study of location and metabolism of (1→3), (1→4)-β-D-glucans

Polyclonal antibodies, raised against ((1→3), (1→4)-β-D-glucans from oat ( Avena sativa L.) caryopsis, were used to investigate the location and the metabolism of mixed-linked β-D-glucans. The binding of these antibodies to the cell walls of oat coleoptiles was shown by an indirect fluorescence method. Distinct fluorescent regions were observed along the inner layers of the walls of each cell. The preimmune serum or antibodies pretreated with oat caryopsis β-D-glucans did not react with the cell walls. Glucan antibodies were bound to the walls of other Poaceae coleoptiles as well as to those from oat mesocotyls and roots, whereas they were not bound to the walls of some dicotyledons tested. The relative glucan content of the cell walls of oat coleoptiles as determined by β-D-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.73) treatment was maximum between day 3 and 4 after soaking, but it declined during further elongation. A rapid decrease in glucan content was observed in excised coleoptiles when auxin or β-D-glucanase was present. There was a clear correlation between the glucan content expressed on a basis of cell wall polysaccharides and the amount of the antibodies bound to the cell walls. These results indicate that the antibodies are useful probes to detect and determine (1→3), (1→4)-β-D-glucans of cell walls.     

Lipids status and copper in a single astrocyte of the rat model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Correlative synchrotron‐based X‐ray and infrared imaging

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, causing death of motor neurons controlling voluntary muscles. The pathological mechanisms of the disease are only partially understood. The hSOD1‐G93A ALS rat model is characterized by an overexpression of human mutated SOD1, causing increased vulnerability by forming intracellular protein aggregates, inducing excitotoxicity, affecting oxidative balance and disturbing axonal transport. In this study we followed the bio‐macromolecular organic composition and compartmentalization together with trace metal distribution in situ in single astrocytes from the ALS rat model and compared them to the control astrocytes from nontransgenic littermates by simultaneous use of two synchrotron radiation‐based methods: Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR‐FTIR) and hard X‐ray fluorescence microscopy (XRF). We show that ALS cells contained more Cu, which colocalized with total lipids, increased carbonyl groups and oxidized lipids, thus implying direct involvement of Cu in oxidative stress of lipidic components without direct connection to protein aggregation in situ.     

The Cellular and Mechanical Basis for Response Characteristics of Identified Primary Afferents in the Rat Vibrissal System

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干旱与复水对喀斯特地区红背山麻杆生长及叶绿素荧光动力学参数的影响

为了探讨红背山麻杆对喀斯特地区干旱环境的生理适应机制,以一年生红背山麻杆扦插苗为试验材料,采用自然干旱法,对轻度(干旱14 d)、中度(干旱28 d)和重度(干旱42 d)干旱胁迫及复水处理的红背山麻杆扦插苗生长、光合色素含量及荧光参数进行测定和分析。结果表明,(1)随干旱胁迫时间的延长,红背山麻杆扦插苗叶片相对含水量显著降低,株高和基径增长缓慢,复水后的叶片相对含水量显著增加,而株高和基径无明显变化;(2)随干旱胁迫时间的延长,扦插苗叶片叶绿素a(Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlb)、叶绿素[Chl(a+b)]含量及Chla/b先增加后降低,并在不同程度干旱胁迫及复水后均显著高于对照(CK),轻度和中度干旱胁迫复水后高于对照,重度干旱胁迫复水后也能恢复至对照水平。(3)随干旱胁迫加剧,扦插苗叶片荧光参数F_o显著增加,F_m、F_v/F_o、F_v/F_m逐渐减小,代表单位反应中心活性的参数A_bs/R_c、T_ro/R_c、E_to/R_c显著增加,代表受体侧电子传递活性的参数Ψ_po、Ψ_o、Ψ_Eo下降,表示热耗散的参数D_io/R_c急剧增加。不同干旱胁迫复水后,F_o、A_bs/R_c、T_ro/R_c、E_to/R_c、D_io/R_c、ΨDo比干旱胁迫处理降低,F_m、F_v/F_o、F_v/F_m、Ψ_po、Ψ_o、Ψ_Eo适度恢复,F_m还能恢复到CK水平,而Ψ_o、Ψ_Eo均未恢复到CK水平。可见,红背山麻杆幼苗生长受轻度和中度干旱胁迫影响较小,而受重度干旱胁迫影响较大;叶片光合色素含量及比值在干旱胁迫后显著增加;重度干旱胁迫导致PSⅡ反应中心失活,电子传递受阻,热能耗散增加;但他们在水分环境条件改善时仍可在一定程度上恢复,红背山麻杆具有强的抗旱性和较高的旱后恢复能力,可作为喀斯特地区植被恢复过程中的先锋物种。     

Development of the Gateway Recycling Cloning System for Multiple Linking of Expression Cassettes in a Defined Order,and Direction on Gateway Compatible Binary Vectors

A new antimicrobial compound was isolated from Scorodocarpus borneensis Becc. The chemical structure was determined to be methylthiomethyl (methylsulfonyl)methyl disulfide on the basis of its spectroscopic data. This compound exhibited considerably strong antimicrobial activities against all bacteria and fungi tested, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with 12.5–25 μg/ml of MIC.     

The Autoxidation of Iron(Ii) in Aqueous Systems: The Effects of Iron Chelation by Physiological, Non-Physiological and Therapeutic Chelators on the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species and the Inducement of Biomolecular Damage

The ability of various iron(II)-complexes of biological, clinical and chemical interest to reduce molecular oxygen to reactive oxy-radicals has been investigated using complementary oxygen-uptake studies and e.s.r. techniques. It is demonstrated that although the rate of oxygen reduction by a given iron complex is directly related to its redox potential [thus complexes with low values of E⁰ for the Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple are the most effective reductants of oxygen], the overall ability of an iron(II) complex to induce oxidative biomolecular damage is also determined by its ability to undergo redox-cycling reactions with reducing radicals formed following the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with organic substrates present in the system (e.g. metal-ion chelators and organic buffers). Evidence is presented to suggest that the “Good” buffer MOPS forms a reducing radical following attack by -OH, and hence encourages the autoxidation of iron with the generation of oxy-radicals (as also observed for some of the chelates studied); this may have important implications for the use of such buffers in free-radical studies.     

Differences in the redistribution of concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells

Concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) bound with either ¹²⁵I, fluorescent dyes, or fluorescent polymeric microspheres were used to quantitate and visualize the distribution of lectin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells. As viewed by fluorescent light and scanning electron microscopy, over 10⁷ binding sites for Con A, WGA, and RCA appeared to be distributed randomly over the surface of differentiated and undifferentiated cells. An energy-dependent redistribution of labeled sites into a central spot occurred when the cells were labeled with a saturating dose of fluorescent lectin and maintained at 37°C for 60 min. Reversible labeling using appropriate saccharide inhibitors indicated that the labeled sites had undergone endocytosis by the cell. A difference in the mode of redistribution of WGA or RCA and Con A binding sites was observed in double labeling experiments. When less than 10% of the WGA or RCA lectin binding sites were labeled, only these labeled sites appeared to be removed from the cell surface. In contrast, when less than 10% of the Con A sites were labeled, both labeled and unlabeled Con A binding sites were removed from the cell surface. Cytochalasin B uncoupled the coordinate redistribution of labeled and unlabeled Con A sites, suggesting the involvement of microfilaments. Finally, double labeling experiments employing fluorescein-tagged Con A and rhodamine-tagged WGA indicate that most Con A and WGA binding sites reside on different membrane components and redistribute independenty of each other.     

检测EB病毒TK激酶抗体方法的建立及其在鼻咽癌诊断中的应用

目的:建立检测鼻咽癌(NPC)患者血清中EB病毒TK激酶的酶免疫测定(EIA)方法,用于筛选和辅助诊断早期NPC患者。方法:用基因工程高效表达的EB病毒TK激酶作为包被抗原,建立EIA检测方法,检测NPC患者和对照血清中的TK/IgG抗体。结果:在NPC患者血清中检出了特异的对EB病毒TK激酶的IgG抗体,而正常人血清中为抗体阴性。结论:首先建立了简便、快速、特异和敏感的早期诊断NPC的EIA方法,并作为我公司产品扩展应用。     

双单抗的免疫层析一步法用于早妊诊断的研究

在试管式、微孔式和斑点式的酶免测定法测定人绒毛膜促性腺激素（ＨＣＧ）的基础上,发展了应用双单克隆抗体的免疫层析一步法测定ＨＣＧ。此法用胶体金标记抗βＨＣＧ单克隆抗体,将抗αＨＣＧ单克隆抗体包被在硝酸纤维素膜上。无需分离步骤,特别是在进行测定时除加入样品外无需再加任何试剂,此方法特别迅速、简便,２～５ｍｉｎ即可得结果。凡ＨＣＧ浓度＞２５ＩＵ／Ｌ的样品可得到阳性结果。在人体血或尿中可能出现的高浓度的干扰物质,如抗坏血酸、乙酰水杨酸、雌二醇、蛋白质、胆红素、甘油三酯等对本测定均无干扰作用,在促黄体激素（ＬＨ）浓度高达５００ＩＵ／Ｌ时仍与ＨＣＧ没有交叉反应。能进行测定的最高值大于３００ＩＵ／ｍｌ,这表示,当ＨＣＧ浓度达到妊娠期的最高值时仍不会有假阴性结果。     

A fluorescence microscopy method for quantifying the detection of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 and CD-41 in MEG-01 cells

In platelets, PGHS-1-dependant formation of thromboxane A₂ is an important modulator of platelet function and a target for pharmacological inhibition of platelet function by aspirin. Since platelets are anucleated cells, we have used the immortalized human megakaryoblastic cell line MEG-01, which can be induced to differentiate into platelet-like structures upon addition of TPA as a model system to study PGHS-1 gene expression. Using a specific antibody to PGHS-1 we have developed a technique using immunofluorescence microscopy and analysis of multiple digital images to monitor PGHS-1 protein expression as MEG-01 cells were induced to differentiate by a single addition of TPA (1.6 × 10⁻⁸ M) over a period of 8 days. The method represents a rapid and economical alternative to flow cytometry. Using this technique we observed that TPA induced adherence of MEG-01 cells, and only the non-adherent TPA-stimulated cells demonstrated compromised viability. The differentiation of MEG-01 cells was evaluated by the expression of the platelet-specific cell surface antigen, CD-41. The latter was expressed in MEG-01 cells at the later stages of differentiation. We demonstrated a good correlation between PGHS-1 expression and the overall level of cellular differentiation of MEG-01 cells. Furthermore, PGHS-1 protein expression, which shows a consistent increase over the entire course of differentiation can be used as an additional and better index by which to monitor megakaryocyte differentiation. Published: December 12, 2001     

吻合器痔上黏膜环形切除术与传统外剥内扎术治疗混合痔的疗效对比研究

摘要 目的：对比吻合器痔上黏膜环形切除术（PHH）与传统外剥内扎术治疗混合痔的临床疗效,为混合痔治疗术式的选择提供参考。方法：回顾性分析我院收治的84例混合痔患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同分为观察组（42例,采用PPH手术治疗）、对照组（42例,采用传统外剥内扎术治疗）。比较两组术中出血量、临床疗效、手术时间、住院时间、治疗费用、肛门功能评分、术后愈合时间及并发症情况,采用视觉模拟量表（VAS）评估两组手术前后疼痛情况。结果：两组治疗总有效率比较无差异（P＞0.05）。与对照组相比,观察组手术时间、住院时间及术后愈合时间更短,术中出血量更少（P＜0.05）。两组术后1 d、术后3 d的VAS评分较术前升高（P＜0.05）,与对照组比较,观察组术后1 d、术后3 d的VAS评分更低（P＜0.05）。观察组肛门坠胀、控便失调发生率显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：PPH手术治疗混合痔的临床疗效优于传统外剥内扎术,可明显减少患者术中出血量,缩短手术时间及术后愈合时间,减轻患者的疼痛。